Chapter 26: Filthy Rich Bosses: Chapter 26

I stare out the floor-to-ceiling windows of my corner office, unseeing. The city sprawls before me, a maze of concrete and glass, but my attention is fixed on the simple gold band encircling my left ring finger. I twist it, feeling the smooth metal slide against my skin.

‘Damn it,’ I mutter. The kiss replays in my mind for the thousandth time—her soft lips, her sweet scent, the warmth of her body pressed against mine. I close my eyes, willing the memory away, but it clings stubbornly.

Four weeks. It’s been four weeks since she walked into my life, and I can’t shake it. Can’t shake her.

I don’t want her to leave. It’s too soon.

‘This is insane,’ I say to the empty room, my voice echoing slightly. ‘Get it together, Grayson.’

I spin my chair back to face my desk, littered with contracts and financial reports. Work. That’s what I need. Work has always been my anchor, my distraction. But as I reach for a pen, my eyes catch on the framed photo of Sarah.

My chest tightens. ‘I’m sorry,’ I whisper, touching the glass. ‘I don’t know what I’m doing anymore.’

As I straighten my tie and smooth my hair, I can’t help but glance at my wedding ring again. It feels heavier than usual, a weight I’m not sure I’m ready to bear—or to let go of.

‘Focus,’ I tell myself firmly. ‘You have a company to run. Feelings can wait.’

But even as I say it, I know it’s a lie. The kiss, her smile, the way she looks at me—it’s all there, simmering just beneath the surface. And I’m terrified of what might happen if I let it boil over.

‘One kiss,’ I mutter, shaking my head. ‘One damn kiss, and I’m falling apart like some lovesick teenager.’

I’d bolted like a little bitch, leaving her standing there, confusion etched across her beautiful face. This whole situation is fucked.

She doesn’t need me. Doesn’t want me and the baggage I bring. She has Chase. And Cole.

The thought that she’s been with them both should bother me, right? I should be jealous, angry even. But instead, I feel…curious? Intrigued?

‘What the hell is wrong with me?’ I wonder aloud, spinning my chair to face the window.

The city sprawls out before me, but all I can see is her. With Chase. With Cole. On the patio. The images my mind conjures are surprisingly vivid, and shockingly arousing.

As the thought of Tessa with my two best friends consumes me, I feel a stirring deep within me. I try to push it away, but the image lingers in my mind, taunting me.

What if I had stayed and joined them on the patio? What if I hadn’t just watched?

The idea both terrifies and excites me. It’s a side of myself that I didn’t know existed. A side that wants to explore and indulge in my deepest desires.

But Tessa is off limits. No matter what Chase says.

I tell myself that it’s for her own good, but deep down I know it’s because I’m too afraid of what might happen if we give into our attraction.

“No. Four weeks is too soon. It’s too soon.”

But even as I say it, my hand moves to my wedding band. I twist it, feeling the smooth metal against my skin. Then, before I can talk myself out of it, I slip it off.

The ring sits on my desk, gleaming accusingly in the afternoon sunlight. I stare at it, my heart pounding.

‘What are you doing, Grayson?’ I whisper, but I already know the answer. I’m opening a door I’m not sure I’m ready to walk through.

A soft knock interrupts my spiraling thoughts. Before I can respond, the door swings open, and Juniper glides in, her auburn hair catching the light. She’s practically glowing, a satisfied smirk playing on her lips.

‘Grayson,’ she purrs, her eyes twinkling behind her thick-rimmed glasses. I tense at the informality. I need to have a serious talk with her soon. ‘I’ve been wanting to discuss something with you.’

I hastily shove my ring into my desk drawer, my heart racing. ‘Juniper, I—’

My phone buzzes loudly, Chase’s name flashing on the screen. I ignore it, focusing on Juniper’s freckled face.

‘What did you want to—’

The door bursts open, this time revealing a disheveled Cole. His usually perfectly styled hair is a mess, and his eyes are full of concern.

‘Grayson,’ he says, ‘Tessa moved out.’

My stomach drops. ‘What?’

Juniper’s smirk vanishes, replaced by a look of concern that doesn’t quite reach her eyes.

‘We need to go,’ Cole insists, grabbing my arm. ‘Now.’

“You can’t just leave!” Juniper’s voice is too high pitched to be human. “He has appointments. All day. Grays—Mr. Harrington, I’m sure Tessa can wait.”

“Clear my schedule, Juniper. Reschedule whatever you need to.”

“Grayson!”

But I don’t stop. I let Cole drag me out of my office and toward the elevator. My chest feels tight. She left. She left me.

The drive home is a blur of worried speculation and unanswered calls to Tessa. When we finally pull up to the house, my heart nearly stops.

Tessa’s car is in the driveway, packed to the brim with boxes and bags—everything she brought with her when she moved in. Chase is pacing in the front foyer.

‘What the hell happened?’ I demand as we rush inside.

The living room is a battlefield of emotions. And there, in the center of it all, is Tessa. Her greenish-blue eyes are blazing, her jaw set in a hard line. She’s perched on the edge of the couch, every muscle in her body tense, like a cornered animal ready to strike.

Chase stops his frantic pacing as we enter, relief washing over his face. ‘Thank God you’re here,’ he says, his voice strained. ‘She won’t listen to reason.’

Before I can respond, Douglas appears in the doorway. He clears his throat, one eyebrow raised in that uniquely British way of his.

‘Might I inquire if anyone requires anything?’ he asks, his tone dry as the Sahara. ‘Refreshments? Appetizers? Perhaps some restraints?’

I can’t help but snort at his gallows humor, even as my heart races. Trust Douglas to find levity in a crisis.

Tessa, however, doesn’t seem amused. Her eyes narrow dangerously. ‘This isn’t a joke, Douglas,’ she snaps.

‘Of course not, Miss Tessa,’ Douglas replies, unruffled. ‘I’ll have the house staff bring your belongings back inside straightaway.’

‘That won’t be necessary,’ Tessa says, her voice sharp enough to cut glass. She stands, her petite frame radiating defiance. ‘I’m leaving. For good this time.’

My chest tightens at her words. I want to rush to her, to beg her to stay, but I’m rooted to the spot. How did we get here? What changed in the few hours since I last saw her?

Chase’s head snaps up, his usually carefree expression replaced by panic. ‘Like hell it’s not necessary,’ he growls, his voice rough with emotion. ‘You’re not going anywhere, Kitten.’

I look at Douglas who seems just as confused as I am. I need to be alone with Tessa, Cole and Chase to discuss this. “Douglas, you and the staff can have the rest of the day off. I’ll see you all in the morning.”

Douglas gives a curt nod and leaves to alert the staff to the change in their schedule.

Tessa’s gaze locks with mine, a silent plea in her eyes. She’s looking at me like I’m her lifeline, like I’m the one who’s going to step in and back her up. Suddenly, all eyes are on me. I can feel Chase and Cole’s stares burning into me, their expectations palpable in the tense air.

But I’m at a loss. My mind races, trying to piece together what’s happening. The weight of their gazes is suffocating, and I struggle to find words. ‘I…what’s going on?’ I finally manage, my voice sounding foreign to my own ears.

Tessa’s face falls, disappointment etching across her delicate features. Chase lets out a frustrated groan. Cole, ever the stoic one, just shakes his head, his brow furrowed in concern.

I feel like I’ve missed a crucial piece of information, like I’ve walked into the middle of a play without knowing my lines. The confusion must be written all over my face because Tessa’s expression softens slightly.

The room falls silent, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. I’ve never felt more out of place in my own home, surrounded by the people I care about most. What the hell have I missed?